still pinging under a load.

[pitbulldell]

I have a 95 4.0 ex . with 235,000 miles on it that is/was pinging under a load when I found this site.I did all the fixes that I found on here and it runs better but it still pings. I use 89 octane gas.
Last week end while pulling a medium size trailer on the interstate going 60 mph once i started up a hill and I would mash on the gas to mantain speed the trans. would down shift and as the rpm's start to climb the engine would start to vibrate you could feel a lose of power then u would hear the valves rattle.
Coming back without the trailer I did a test.I would get up to 85 mph on a flat surface it was fine, then on hill it would do the same thing.You would feel the vibration then the truck would start to slow down and once you mash on the gas to try and pick up speed you would hear the valves rattling. Anything over 85 it would do it even on a flat surface.
I think it is in ralation to rpm's because I notice anything you do aproaching 3,000 rpm will cause this problem.If you turn off overdrive and drive down the road and stomp on it ,it will pull hard in the lower gears, till 3,000 in the higher gears then the vibration starts and valve rattle will follow.
If you put it in park or neutral you can rev it to the moon with no problems at all.it idles smooth and there is no check engine light on.
Here is a list of all the things I have replace in the last 8 months.
IAC
EGR CONTROL MODULE
THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR
MAF SENSOR
PLUGS
WIRES
CRANK POSITION SENSOR
LOWER INTAKE GASKET
IGNITION MODULE
FUEL FILTER
FUEL PUMP
I am at a lose on what to look for now.The problem just showed up 8 months ago while pulling my cousins car trailer to the track and I have been chasing it ever since.I checked all over for vacuum leaks and have not found any.

 

[jp450]

A few questions that may point you in the right direction...

When was the last time you put some injector cleaner through the tank?

When was the last "tune up"? By that I mean plugs and wires. Were the plugs gaped properly?

Have you checked the compresion of each cylinder?

You have a high mileage Ex and as such there is probably a fair amount of wear to the engine.

I would not recomend pulling a trailer unless you turn off the overdrive.

Those are a few other things to check...

Jeff

 

[pitbulldell]

I do a complete tune up regularly.plugs ,wires oil and clean the K&N.
Atleast once a month I will fill up with 93 and put injector cleaner in the tank and drive to my parents about a hour away.
I have not checked the compression of each cylinder.

I was reading some more and some one mentioned the fuel pressure regulater could this be failing in the higher rpms?

 

[jp450]

You say that you use 93 at least once a month. When you use that do you have the pinging problem? Now let me throw this out there... When the gas prices went up I started to use 89. At first it would ping. I think when the computer finaly learned that I was using 89 the pinging stopped. Maybe by using the 93 once a month is confusing the computer.

 

[pitbulldell]

You say that you use 93 at least once a month. When you use that do you have the pinging problem? Now let me throw this out there... When the gas prices went up I started to use 89. At first it would ping. I think when the computer finaly learned that I was using 89 the pinging stopped. Maybe by using the 93 once a month is confusing the computer.

yes it still will ping when using the 93 just not as bad.I have been using 89 for 4 years now.Have had the truck 5 1/2 years.When I started using 89 I undid the battery cable to reset the computer.and redo it after the 93 full up is empty.

 

[rtbrjason]

Have you tried any kind of seafoam or other top engine cleaning?

Check this page to if you haven't already -

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/ping.html

 

[pitbulldell]

Have you tried any kind of seafoam or other top engine cleaning?

Check this page to if you haven't already -

http://www.explorerforum.com/Singleton/web/pages/ping.html

Did the seafoam and it got better, been awhile though.Think its time for another can.

 

[pitbulldell]

PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.i WANT TO TAKE MY .45 AND SHOOT IT.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Pitbull, after reading lots of threads on pinging, it's my opinion that the problem is leaking intake gaskets. Or maybe it's the plastic intakes themselves that are warping as time goes by.....? Regardless, new gaskets would probably fix the pinging.....

 

[Explorerhucker]

I hear you brotha!

I have done all that you stated and more. I did the seafoam thing the other day and it did nothing. I replaced the plugs, wires, cleaned the maf, checked egr for blockage, replaced TPS, ran seafoam in my gas as well. It pings like crazy. It's been like this for awhile and it's not going away. I tried the higher octane but it does nothing. I'm pretty much sure that it has to do with the Timing chain rattling guides that are notorious on these engines. It messes with the timing and causes it to ping. I'm afraid it might be the chains in the rear of the engine and not the ones in the front that are accessible. It really sucks. It doesn't kick down naturally anymore and is lacking power until you mash the pedal.
It's getting worse. I also heard maybe Torqu converter?

 

[Homerexplorer]

What kind of plugs did you put in? I changed my plugs and wires and the thing started to gradually get worse (it was fine for about the first 2 weeks. I cleaned and tightened everything - MAF, throttle body, IAC, Intake hoses, PCV (replaced), air filter, manifold. I Seafoam'ed 2x through the PCV, Seafoam'ed the crankcase, and the fuel, put fuel cleaner in (Chevron), changed the fuel filter, replaced the air filter, and reset the computer numerous times. I chased it non-stop for 3 weeks (no codes, just a really annoying ping under light load). I was all set to take it to the dealer. Based upon several threads here I decided to re-do the plugs with Autolite double platinums and rip out the Bosch 2+. I reset the computer while I was doing the plugs and the pinging is gone. Just make sure you gap them. They were suppose to be 0.054" out of the box but they were all 0.046". Hope it helps.

 

[Explorerhucker]

Hmm?

Really? I put in Bosch platinum (singles?). The guy said they were pregapped. I'm going to take'em out and try the autolites. The one under the wheelwell sure sucks though. It's funny. I didn't change the plugs until 110,000 and I noticed no difference when I changed'em out. Could be the culprit.

 

[Homerexplorer]

I noticed a night and day difference between the Bosch 2+ and the Autolites - more power and the annoying pinging is gone. One thing about the Bosch 2+ (or 4+) is that it is almost impossible to gap them (that's why they tell you not to). After my experience with the Bosch's, I won't use them again.

Yeah, they really don't make the plugs an easy job. I have to go throught the wheel well for 5 out of my 6. Getting the wires off is a lot easier if you put some dielectric grease in the boot. When you do it, disconnect the -terminal on the battery for 30 min or more (or when you start the plug job). This will reset your computer. Let me know if it works.

 

[Explorerhucker]

Hmm?

Well, I replaced the plugs with Autilite platinums and I see little difference. It idles better but that's about it so far. The bosch's gap was way wrong. It was .035 or something close to it. The Autolites came with that gap as well so I regapped'em and installed the *******s. My hands are all beat up. I unplugged the neg. for about 15 minutes and went for a drive. Pinging right of the bat.
I just replaced my waterpump last week and now I think my thermostat is sticking, so I know that messes with the tranny abit if it's not working properly.
It just doesn't shift at the right time and you have to mash it to really get it going. It's still drivable but the timing chain guides need done. 2200 bucks from the dealer I was quoted to replace all three chains/guides!!
Ouch!!

 

[exploded99]

If you really think that the tensioners are bad, put a vacuum gauge on the engine after its warmed up. You should see 18 to 22 inches of vacuum at idle, and the needle should be very steady. If the needle is wandering up/down or bouncing/vibrating, then you probably have an internal engine issue - check the instructions that come with the gauge for explanations.
A vacuum gauge is a good cheap method to get an idea of your engines internal condition.

Since your engine has 235k on it, it won't make sense to put 2200 in timing chain fixes - that's an older engine, even by bmw / mercedes standards. You'd be wiser to buy an engine out of a rolled x - 500 to 750 depending on mileage - and put it in. You would probably end up with an engine in the 90k to 100k range. And you can do the tensioners on the new engine if needed before you slip it in.

I would be interested to hear what the vacuum gauge does.

 

[Explorerhucker]

Sorry

You got us mixed up. I kinda hijacked the thread. I'm not the 235,000 miles guy. Mine has 134,000. I've found a guy who will do it for 1500. I'll keep searching.

 

[exploded99]

Oops - sorry bout that!

As far as rear tensioners, I have seen some posts on here about putting in new rear tensioners with the engine in the truck. Never done it, but apparently it can be done!

 

[Explorerhucker]

hmmm.

Sounds tough either way. The thing is draining my mind daily in frustration. I can see a large mechanic's bill heading my way.

 

[exploded99]

My comments on the vacuum gauge test still apply. I would at least check it with a vacuum gauge to confirm your suspicions on the timing chain tensioners.

 

[pitbulldell]

Even though I had no codes,I changed the EGR VALVE and the pinging problem is gone.Thanks for your help guys.